Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve

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Black-a-Tor Copse NNR, above the valley of the West Okement River, is an area of oak woodland, granite clitter (loose rocks) and moorland 1,200ft above sea level. It is one of only three examples of Devon’s high altitude oak woodlands, and one of the best in Britain for its nationally important rare lichens and mosses that wreathe the trees and rocks. Twenty species of breeding birds have been recorded in the woodland and surrounding habitat, including summer visitors such as the ring ouzel and redstart. The woodland is lightly grazed by the cattle, sheep and ponies that live on the open moorland, and they help sustain the open character and abundant lichens and mosses of the woodland. The moorland is also periodically burnt in an ancient practice known as ‘swaling’. This provides patches of more palatable grass for livestock in spring and reduces the spread of gorse and young trees.